Resonant rhombic type television antenna

ABSTRACT

A television antenna utilizing vertically spaced apart sets of rhombics arranged in parallel horizontal planes, one rhombic within another rhombic in the same plane which rhombics are so connected as to get the entire range of television bands from 54 to 216 megacycles with one set of rhombics being resonant to the midband of the low segment of the band, and another set of rhombics being resonant to the midband of the high segment of the band. The antenna rhombics are center grounded to a metallic ground, such as a boom or mast and is lightning proof, due to the grounded construction of the rhombics. The rhombic antenna has high sensitivity in picking up television color pictures and has long range with a high gain. The sets of rhombics lie in vertical, spaced apart horizontal planes and are braced by support tubes with one set above another connected by vertical phasing network tubes to which the transmission lines are attached mediate the length thereof.

United States Patent [151 3,660,848 Kerch 51 May 2, 1972 [54] RESONANT RHOMBIC TYPE TELEVISION ANTENNA Primary Examiner-Eli Lieberman Att -W l d D. K 'th [72] Inventor: John Kerch, Bomarton, Tex. amey ay an e] [73] Assignee: Verlan D. Coflman, Bomarton, Tex. a part ABSTRACT lmerst A television antenna utilizing vertically spaced apart sets of [22] Filed: Aug. 17, 1970 rhombics arranged in parallel horizontal planes, one rhombic within another rhombic in the same plane which rhombics are [21] Appl' 64461 so connected as to get the entire range of television bands from 54 to 216 megacycles with one set of rhombics being [52] US. Cl ..343/749, 343/803, 343/814, resonant to the midband of the low segment of the band, and 343/816 another set of rhombics being resonant to the midband of the [5 ll?- seg nenl of the band The antenna rhombics are center [58] Field of Search ..343/732, 733, 742, 803, 804, grounded to a metallic ground, Such as a'boom or mast and is 343/809 908 lightning proof, due to the grounded construction of the rhombics. The rhombic antenna has high sensitivity in picking up [56] References Cned television color pictures and has long range with a high gain. UNITED STATES PATENTS The sets of rhombies lie in vertical, spaced apart horizontal planes and are braced by support tubes with one set above 2,572,166 10/ l 95! Lorusso ..343/809 another connected by vertical phasing network tubes to which 2,9213 10 1/1960 Anderson 343/809 the transmission lines are attached mediate the length thereof. 3,267,479 8/1966 Smith et al .343/908 3,564,550 2/1971 De Bettencourt ..343/733 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATEiTEnm 2 1912 3,660,848

JOHN KERCH INVENTOR.

FIG. k g M w W HIS/316E RESONANT RHOMBIC TYPE TELEVISION ANTENNA SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a television antenna, and more particularly to a rhombic type antenna to receive television signals and more particularly color signals with a sharp definition of color and cleamess over a wide band, particularly over the television frequency range from 54 to 216 megacycles.

The present rhombic type antenna is so constructed as to .be compact and to offer a minimum of wind resistance. The rhombic type antenna is constructed in multiples, with one rhombic within another, such as two, three or more spaced apart rhombics lying in the same horizontal plane to constitute one set of rhombic antenna, a second set of horizontal, spaced apart multiple rhombics, one within another, lies in a horizontal plane parallel to the plane in which the first multiple rhombics are positioned and is spaced therefrom. Vertical rods or tubing form a phasing network to connect between the sets of horizontally disposed rhombics.

In making up the sets of rhombic antenna, it is preferable that one of the rhombics in each set'be so constructed as to be resonant to a channel in the low segment near midband, with one rhombic of each set of rhombics being resonant to a channel in the high segment near midband, but each respective set of rhombics having sufficient gain to receive signals on each side of the respective midbands of the low and high segments to receive television signals throughout the entire television channel range.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide antenna for receiving television signals to give a sharp definition both for color and black and white.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rhombic television antenna which has high gain characteristics and provides excellent television color reception over the entire television channels.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a television antenna in which the component parts are so arranged and braced as to offer a minimum of wind resistance and are so braced as to give high resistive strength against the force of wind.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a rhombic television antenna in which the elements thereof are grounded in balanced relation to the center boom, so as to make the antenna lightning proof.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a rhombic antenna with spaced apart sets of rhombics which utilize a matching coil to balance the antenna and to increase the electrical length of the rhombic antenna.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an extremely rugged antenna which is operational under adverse weather conditions, such as wind, ice and snow.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an antenna which has exceptionally long distance pick-up with clarity and sharpness.

Another object of the invention is to provide an antenna which is easy to construct, low in the cost of manufacture, easy to ship and to assemble, as well as easy to install.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the foregoing objects in mind and others which will become manifest as the description proceeds, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the rhombic antenna, showing the antenna attached to a boom;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and showing the lower rhombics of the antenna;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of two sets of horizontally disposed multiple rhombic antenna, showing these connected by a pair of vertical rods or tubes of the phasing network;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of the connection means between the boom and the rhombic antenna horizontal support tubing;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, showing how the tubes of the rhombic antenna are joined at the acute angle end thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing the cross-over connectors between the smaller rhombic antenna portion and the larger rhombic antenna portion, and showing how the phasing network connector rods or tubing connects between the sets of multiple horizontal rhombics;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, elevational view of the connecting means which connects the support member of one set of rhombic antenna with the boom and showing how the network phasing connector rods or tubes are connected to the multiple rhombic antenna;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, elevational view, showing how the television lead-in conductors are connected to the phasing network tubes or rods, so as to properly balance the antenna; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one of the insulators to insulate certain of the rhombic antenna elements.

With more detailed reference to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates generally a metal boom or mast to support the upper and lower antenna rhombics, which are designated generally by the numerals 2 and 3 respectively, a spaced distance above the ground.

It is preferable that the boom 1 be thoroughly grounded. A pair of horizontally positioned upper and lower support bars or tubes 4 and 5 respectively are positioned a spaced distance apart and are clamped, by clamps 6, to the boom 1 in grounded relation, to support the respective upper and lower sets of rhombic antenna 2 and 3. The saddles 8 are seated on the boom 1, as will best be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7, and support horizontal tubes thereon.

As a matter of illustration, and not as a matter of limitation, the sizes and lengths of the inner rhombics are given, which are designated by the numerals l0 and 12, respectively, and each is of the same construction, with the respective bolts 14 and 16 passing through the respective ends of tubes 11 and 13 adjacent the-respective support tube 4 and to form one side portion of each of the inner rhombics l0 and 12. The opposite sides of each of the rhombics l0 and 12 are composed of tubes 18 and tubes 20 respectively, which are arranged at an angle so the ends of the tubes 18 and tubes 20 will meet with the respective ends of tubes 11 and tubes 13 and be secured thereto by metallic bolts 22 and 24 respectively to form the respective rhombics l0 and 12. The tubes 18 and tubes 20 are connected, by bolts 22 and 24 respectively to tubes 11 and tubes 13 so as to form a balanced rhombic conductor from the mast or boom 1. The tubes 18 and tubes 20 of the respective inner rhombics l0 and 12 opposite tubes 1 l and tubes 13 each connect to the respective insulators 26 and 28 on the respective support tubes 4 and 5. The tubes 18 and tubes 20 respectively of the respective inner rhombics 10 and 12 opposite tubes 11 and tubes 13 each connect to the respective insulators 26 and 28 on support tubes 4 and 5 respectively. The ends of the tubes 18 and tubes 20 respectively will be insulated from the respective horizontal support tubes 4 and 5, whereupon, these inner rhombics are interconnected, by vertical phasing network tubes 30 and 32, with the lead-in conductors 34 and 36 connected to these phasing network tubes, by bolts 35 and 37, midway of the length phasing network rods, in a manner best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6, 7 and 8.

The inner rhombics 10 and 12 have tube lengths to most nearly complement resonance of channel 10 of 192 to 198 megacycles, however, due to the construction and high gain will receive channels 7, 8, 9, ll, 12 and 13, as these tubes are preferably three-eighths to one-half inch in diameter, with each side of the rhombic being approximately 22 inches, which gives a complementary one-half wave length to channel l and a closely related one-half wave length to channels 7, 8, 9, ll, 12 and 13 with a minimum loss of picture sharpness.

The larger rhombics 2.and 3 lie in the same respective horizontal planes as the inner rhombics 10 and 12, but the planes in which the rhombics 2 and 3 lie are spaced apart vertically.

The rigid metallic conductor tubes 38 of the rhombic 2 are connected to a metallic plate 40 at their ends by metallic screws 42, which plate 40 is connected to horizontally positioned support bars or tubes 4 by metallic screws 44, which grounds the bars or tubes 38 to thetransverse horizontal support member or tube 4, which in turn, is secured to and grounded to the metallic boom LThe distal ends of the tubes 38 of rhombic 2 are joined near their ends'to the tubes 46 by metallic screws 48, with the ends of the tubes 46 on the opposite side of the rhombic 2. The tubes 46 are connected to insulator 50 by screws 52 in insulated relation. The insulator 50 is connected to transverse horizontal metallic support tube 4 by metallic screws or bolts 54, so a to rigidly hold the rhombics 2 and 10in fixed relation with respect to the transverse support tube 4. The rhombic 3 is substantially identical to rhombic 2 and has tubes 56 connected, by metallic screws, at their ends, to a metallic plate 58 on transverse metallic support tube by screws 60, which metallic plate is secured to transverse horizontal support member or tube 5 by metallic screws 62. A side of the rhombic 3 is constructed of rigid metallic members or tubes 64, which are connected at their distal ends to tubes 56, by metallic screws 66. The adjacent ends of the tubes 64 being connected to an insulator 68, in insulated relation, so as to insulate the tubes 64 from horizontal metallic support tube 5. The tubes of the respective inner and outer rhombics are substantially parallel, and the inner and outer rhombics are connected together by crossover electrical conductors 70 and 72, therefore, with thephasing network tubes 30 and 32 connecting the upper rhombics 2 and with the lower rhombics 3 and 12, the rhombics are made up into complementary one-half wave length matching sets with the larger rhombics, 2 and 3 being resonant to channel 4 in the lower segment of the band. However,- since these antenna rhombics have exceptionally high gain, the smaller rhombics 10 and 12 will pick up the frequencies of channels 7 through 13. Physical dimensions of this section of the antenna are approximately for channel 10 but are efi'ective over the entire segment. However, with the cross-over conductors 70 and 72, which interconnect the inner and outer lower rhombics 3 and I2 and through phasing network tubes 30 and 32 which connect the rhombics 2 and 10 to readily receive the entire range of television signals over a considerable distance with exceptional clarity and definition of color.

A balancing coil 74 is provided in electrical conductor relation between the adjacent ends of rhombic tubes 64, which are connected to the insulator 68 by bolts or screws 76, so as to increase the electrical length of the outer rhombics 2 and 3 and forms a balancing coil.

The present arrangement of rhombics, as set out above, enables considerable footage of tubing to be constructed into rhombics, and still maintain the television antenna relatively small. The outer rhombics 2 and-3, as a matter of illustration, preferably have approximately 38 inch sides and are so connected as to give high gain with broad band characteristics and with a directivity of about 15 lobe width. The entire frequency range between 54 megacycles and 216 megacycles is received with a high degree of clarity, both for color television and black and white. Having thus clearly shown and described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A rhombic type antenna comprising:

a. an upright support boom,

b. a first transverse support member connected to said upright support boom,

c. a first pair of rigid metallic conductors connected to one end of said first transverse support member and extending outwardly at an angle therefrom,

l. a first insulator mounted near the opposite end of said first transverse support member,

2. a second pair of rigid, metallic conductors connected to said first insulator near the outer end of said first transverse support member and extending outwardly therefrom at an angle to connect in electrical conductor relation to said first pair of outwardly extending metallic conductors near the ends thereof, to form a first rhombic,

d. an electrical conductor transmission line electrically connected to each of said second pair of rigid, metallic conductors near said first insulator,

e. ground 'means connected to said first pair of rigid metallic conductors on the side of said rhombicoppoaite said first insulator,

f. a third pair of rigid metallic conductors is connected to said first transverse support member a spaced distance inward from said first pair of rigid metallic conductors and being approximately parallel therewith,

g. a second insulator mounted on said first transverse support member a spaced distance inward from the opposite end of said first transverse support member,

h. a fourth pair of rigid metallic conductors connected to said second insulator and extending outwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said second pair of rigid metallic conductors and havingthe distal ends thereof connected in electrical conductor relation, to form asecond rhombic,

i. electrical conductor means connected to said second and fourth pairs of rigid metallic conductors near the ends thereof adjacent said first and second-insulators respectively, and

. said electrical conductor means, which is connected to the ends of said rigid metallic conductors connect said inner rhombic with said outer rhombic.

2. A rhombic type antenna, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said electrical conductor means, connected to the ends of said rigid metallic conductors, are arranged in'cross-over relation to connect said inner rhombics in series with said outer rhombics.

3. A rhombic type antenna, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. one of said rhombics hasa balancing coil connected in abridging relation across one of said insulators of one of said rhombic, to increase the electrical length of said rhombic. I

4. A rhombic type antenna, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said upright support boom is of metallic construction,

l. said boom is grounded electrically,

b. said first transverse support member connected to said upright support boom being of metallic construction and being in electrical conductor relation with said boom, and

c. said ground means on said first pair of metallic conductors being fastening elements between said first pair of rigid metallic conductors and said first transverse support member.

5. A rhombic type antenna, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. a second transverse support member is mounted on said upright support boom a spaced vertical distance from said first transverse support member and is substantially parallel thereto,

b. second and third rhombics mounted on said second transverse support member, substantially in the same manner as said first and second rhombics are mounted on said first transverse support member,

c. upright phasing network tubesconnecting said respective upper rhombics and said lower rhombics on opposite sides of said insulators, and

d. said electrical conductors transmission lines being connected to said phasing network tubes mediate the length thereof.

6. A rhombic type antenna, as defined in claim 3; wherein a. said balancing coil, connects in abridging relation across the insulators of one of said outer rhombics.

7. A rhombic type antenna, as defined in claim 1; wherein 1. the television rhombics being made of metallic tubes of a size to give high gain so that the two rhombics will receive television signals throughout the entire range of the low segment and the high segment bands.

' t t i 

1. A rhombic type antenna comprising: a. an upright support boom, b. a first transverse support member connected to said upright support boom, c. a first pair of rigid metallic conductors connected to one end of said first transverse support member and extending outwardly at an angle therefrom,
 1. a first insulator mounted near the opposite end of said first transverse support member,
 2. a second pair of rigid, metallic conductors connected to said first insulator near the outer end of said first transverse support member and extending outwardly therefrom at an angle to connect in electrical conductor relation to said first pair of outwardly extending metallic conductors near the ends thereof, to form a first rhombic, d. an electrical conductor transmission line electrically connected to each of said second pair of rigid, metallic conductors near said first insulator, e. ground means connected to said first pair of rigid metallic conductors on the side of said rhombic oppoaite said first insulator, f. a third pair of rigid metallic conductors is connected to said first transverse support member a spaced distance inward from said first pair of rigid metallic conductors and being approximately parallel therewith, g. a second insulator mounted on said first transverse support member a spaced distance inward from the opposite end of said first transverse support member, h. a fourth pair of rigid metallic conductors connected to said second insulator and extending outwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said second pair of rigid metallic conductors and having the distal ends thereof connected in electrical conductor relation, to form a second rhombic, i. electrical conductor means connected to said second and fourth pairs of rigid metallic conductors near the ends thereof adjacent said first and second insulators respectively, and
 1. said electrical conductor means, which is connected to the ends of said rigid metallic conductors connect said inner rhombic with said outer rhombic.
 2. a second pair of rigid, metallic conductors connected to said first insulator near the outer end of said first transverse support member and extending outwardly therefrom at an angle to connect in electrical conductor relation to said first pair of outwardly extending metallic conductors near the ends thereof, to form a first rhombic, d. an electrical conductor transmission line electrically connected to each of said second pair of rigid, metallic conductors near said first insulator, e. ground means connected to said first pair of rigid metallic conductors on the side of said rhombic oppoaite said first insulator, f. a third pair of rigid metallic conductors is connected to said first transverse support member a spaced distance inward from said first pair of rigid metallic conductors and being approximately parallel therewith, g. a second insulator mounted on said first transverse support member a spaced distance inward from the opposite end of said first transverse support member, h. a fourth pair of rigid metallic conductors connected to said second insulator and extending outwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said second pair of rigid metallic conductors and having the distal ends thereof connected in electrical conductor relation, to form a second rhombic, i. electrical conductor means connected to said second and fourth pairs of rigid metallic conductors near the ends thereof adjacent said first and second insulators respectively, and
 2. A rhombic type antenna, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said electrical conductor means, connected to the ends of said rigid metallic conductors, are arranged in cross-over relation to connect said inner rhombics in series with said outer rhombics.
 3. A rhombic type antenna, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. one of said rhombics has a balancing coil connected in abridging relation across one of said insulators of one of said rhombic, to increase the electrical length of said rhombic.
 4. A rhombic type antenna, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said upright support boom is of metallic construction,
 5. A rhombic type antenna, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. a second transverse support member is mounted on said upright support boom a spaced vertical distance from said first transverse support member and is substantially parallel thereto, b. second and third rhombics mounted on said second transverse support member, substantially in the same manner as said first and second rhombics are mounted on said first transverse support member, c. upright phasing network tubes connecting said respective upper rhombics and said lower rhombics on opposite sides of said insulators, and d. said electrical conductors transmission lines being connected to said phasing network tubes mediate the length thereof.
 6. A rhombic type antenna, as defined in claim 3; wherein a. said balancing coil, connects in abridging relation across the insulators of one of said outer rhombics.
 7. A rhombic type antenna, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. the rhombics are so balanced that one of the rhombics is of a size to be resonant to the midband of the low segment of the television band, b. the other rhombic is of a size to be resonant to the midband of the high segment of the television band, and 